Articles by CDI Staff
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Federal agents in Pakistan have arrested at least six Christian youths, including the son of two renowned pastors, for allegedly establishing an illegal call center and committing credit card fraud involving American citizens, Christian Daily International has learned. -
Worsening human rights situation in North Korea calls for change in mission strategy: need to face reality
The Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) announced the results of its 2024 White Paper on Religious Freedom in North Korea and a public awareness survey on North Korean human rights at the Franciscan Education Center in Seoul’s Jeong-dong on Jan. 23. Rev. Stephen Kim of the Jericho Mission, who has devoted over 30 years to improving awareness of North Korean human rights and rescuing defectors, also shared insights into the current state and direction of missions to North Korea. -
Book documents Evangelical-Catholic dialogue of past 50 years
The official records of the Roman Catholic Church’s dialogue with the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) spanning nearly 50 years are now available in a newly published book. The book, which is the latest volume in the World of Theology Series, compiles four major documents from the Vatican-Evangelical dialogues held between 1977 and 2016, presenting them in both English and German editions. -
Pakistan's Punjab province launches cash cards for religious minorities
Punjab’s chief minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has introduced a cash card program for religious minorities, marking a historic step toward addressing marginalization in Pakistan’s most populous province. The “Minority Card” will provide 10,500 Pakistani Rupees (approximately $37.65 USD) per family every quarter to Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, and other minorities living in Punjab. -
Christian Council of Korea calls on host church of WEA General Assembly to stop financial support, calls for key WEA leader to step down
The Christian Council of Korea (CCK), a former national member body of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), has issued a statement on Jan. 17 raising concerns about the planned WEA General Assembly (GA) in Seoul, Korea this October. It challenges Sarang Church, which is due to host the global event at its facilities, to be transparent about the financial support it provides to the WEA. -
Trump moves to withdraw US from WHO again due to agency's mishandling of pandemic, failure to reform
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day back in office to begin withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that some scientists and faith leaders warn could reverse decades of progress in combating infectious diseases such as AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. -
Brazil restricts smartphone use in schools following global trend
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a bill on Monday restricting smartphone use in schools, aligning with a global movement to limit devices in educational settings. The law, set to take effect in February, will apply to elementary and high school students across the nation. -
Donald Trump to be sworn in as 47th President, plans wave of executive actions
Donald J. Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at noon Eastern time on Monday, marking a historic political comeback. He reportedly plans to issue more than 200 executive orders on his first day in office, aiming to rapidly implement a sweeping policy agenda. -
Gaza cease-fire begins as Israel and Hamas exchange hostages and prisoners
Three Israeli women were released from captivity in Gaza on Sunday, marking the start of a long-awaited cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. The truce prompted celebrations in Gaza, relief for families of captives and prisoners, and hopes for an end to the 15-month war. -
TikTok restored in US after Trump announces delay of federal ban
TikTok resumed operations in the United States on Sunday after President-elect Donald J. Trump announced plans to issue an executive order delaying a federal ban on the app. The development came just hours after major app stores removed TikTok and the app ceased functioning for U.S. users as a new federal law took effect. In a post on X, TikTok said it was "in the process of restoring service" in agreement with its service providers. -
US Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban due to national security concerns related to China's access to app data
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Friday against TikTok’s First Amendment challenge to a law banning the app in the United States starting Sunday, dealing a critical blow to the platform’s U.S. operations. -
1,300 Korean church leaders issue statement opposing World Evangelical Alliance General Assembly in Seoul
The Council of Church Leaders Opposing the Hosting of the 2025 WEA Seoul General Assembly, comprising 1,300 pastors and elders from the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong), the largest denomination in Korea, released a statement on Jan. 16 titled “Our Position on the 2025 WEA Seoul General Assembly.” The council stated, “WEA has serious issues with its theology, members, and activities, and all exchanges, cooperation, and membership with it must be prohibited.”
